SSC CGL - Detailed Guide 2025

Self-Paced Course

Terms Associated with Sports

Reference: Lucent GK, NCERT Class 6–12

Term	Meaning
LBW	"Leg Before Wicket" – batsman is out if the ball hits the pad and would have hit the stumps.
Yorker	A delivery that pitches right at the batsman’s feet or base of the stumps.
Googly	A deceptive delivery bowled by a leg-spinner that turns in the opposite direction.
Duck	When a batsman is out without scoring any run.
Silly Point	A close fielding position near the batsman on the off side.

SSC Tip: Googly and Yorker are commonly asked.

Term	Meaning
Offside	A player is offside if he/she is nearer to the opponent's goal than both the ball and the second-last defender when the ball is played to them.
Hat-trick	When a player scores 3 goals in a single match.
Free Kick	Awarded after a foul; the ball is kicked without interference.
Corner Kick	When the ball crosses the goal line, last touched by a defender (no goal scored).
Yellow Card	A caution to a player for misconduct. Two yellow cards = 1 red card.

SSC Tip: “Offside” and “Hat-trick” appear regularly in static GK questions.

Term	Meaning
Deuce	When the score is 40–40. The player must win two consecutive points to win the game.
Ace	A serve that is untouched by the opponent.
Tiebreak	A special game to decide a set tied at 6–6.
Rally	Exchange of shots between players before a point is won.
Break Point	When the receiving player is one point away from winning the game.

SSC Tip: Ace and Deuce are often asked as direct MCQs.

Term	Meaning
Penalty Corner	Awarded for defensive foul; attacking team takes a shot from the backline.
Push	A simple stroke to pass the ball without lifting it.
Scoop	A raised hit where the ball is lifted off the ground.
Dribble	Controlling the ball with the stick while moving.

SSC Tip: "Penalty Corner" is important for match-the-pair questions

Term	Meaning
Smash	A powerful downward shot aimed to finish the rally.
Drop Shot	A gentle shot that barely crosses the net, landing close to it.
Clear	A high shot sent deep into the opponent’s court.
Rally Point	System where each rally results in a point.

SSC Tip: Smash is the most frequently mentioned term.

Term	Meaning
Knockout (KO)	When an opponent is rendered unable to continue the fight.
Bout	A match between two fighters.
Takedown	Bringing the opponent to the mat and controlling them.
Technical Fall	Winning a match by leading a large margin (wrestling).

SSC Tip: "Knockout" is common in general awareness sets.

Term	Meaning
Relay	A team event where each runner completes a segment and passes a baton.
Steeplechase	A distance race with barriers and water jumps (usually 3000m).
Heptathlon	Women’s combined event of 7 track & field disciplines.
Decathlon	Men's combined event of 10 track & field disciplines.

SSC Tip: Relay and Steeplechase are often asked in basic sports GK

Sport	Common Terms
Cricket	LBW, Yorker, Duck, Googly
Football	Offside, Hat-trick, Free Kick
Tennis	Deuce, Ace, Tiebreak
Hockey	Penalty Corner, Scoop, Push
Badminton	Smash, Drop Shot
Wrestling	Knockout, Bout
Athletics	Relay, Heptathlon, Steeplechase

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